In a recent article published by Foreign Policy Analysis, author Carol Atkinson examines the effects of U.S.-hosted military and civilian exchange programs on democracy and human rights in the participants’ home countries. Atkinson argues that a participant’s abroad experiences “may impact the political institutions and influence political behavior in their home countries”:

“Through the exchange experience, participants (who may have little exposure to democratic norms and ideas) observe how people behave within a democratic system, acquire knowledge about how democracy functions, and learn what to expect of their own leaders and institutions.

“The empirical evidence confirms what advocates of exchanges have often claimed: US-hosted student exchange programs can play an important role in the diffusion of liberal values and practices within authoritarian states. 



“Research has consistently shown that exchange students return home with a more positive view of the country in which they studied and the people with whom they interact.”

Atkinson points out that “not all exchanges are equal in their potential to influence participants.” She notes three conditions that have a direct or indirect effect on the exchange participants’ experiences. These include:

“(i) the depth…of social interactions between the exchange student and local populations, (ii) the extent to which the …student shares a sense of community...with the local people…, and (iii) whether the exchange student returns to the home country and attains a politically influential position.”

Using these criteria, Atkinson discusses the role of foreign military officers in educational exchange programs, concluding that “attendance at these military schools influences liberal political socialization.” Through her own empirical analysis, Atkinson finds that military exchanges “consistently achieved high levels of significance […] and have a direct impact on respect for human rights […] and have a greater impact than their civilian counterparts.” 

Atkinson urges that more empirical analysis be conducted on exchange programs to further the findings on exchanges as successful tools of soft power:

“The US government often uses educational exchanges as a negative sanction; prohibiting or limiting attendance by countries with poor human rights records. However [Atkinson’s] findings show that when the United States allows only “well behaved” countries to participate, it restricts its ability to build its own soft power across the international system.”